Crap convertibles are the best convertibles.
Discussion
We’re obsessed with convertibles in the UK - we buy more of them than any other European country and take great delight in using them in pretty much any weather. I’m convinced some enjoy roof down motoring more on a crisp winters day than in the summer!
I have a theory though. Whilst often associated with “flash” or “sporty” cars, I think you can have far more fun in one that’s just absolutely terrible. The MX5 is a PH staple definitely for the way that it drives and I know we like a Porsche or two on here too - but you’d probably enjoy the drive in a hard top version more, letting you focus on the actual pedalling rather than the wind-in-the-hair thing. I had a 986 Boxster S for a while and whilst it was a fine thing, it was horrible to drive with the roof up and I couldn’t help but think a Cayman would’ve been better to live with!
I propose that what you actually want is the crap convertible. It doesn’t need to be a good car, just needs to preferably have a roof in full working order. I’ve owned a handful over the years - a couple of Rover 216 Cabriolets and Mk1 Megane.
Good time, then, to introduce my latest acquisition - a 1994 Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet!
I have a theory though. Whilst often associated with “flash” or “sporty” cars, I think you can have far more fun in one that’s just absolutely terrible. The MX5 is a PH staple definitely for the way that it drives and I know we like a Porsche or two on here too - but you’d probably enjoy the drive in a hard top version more, letting you focus on the actual pedalling rather than the wind-in-the-hair thing. I had a 986 Boxster S for a while and whilst it was a fine thing, it was horrible to drive with the roof up and I couldn’t help but think a Cayman would’ve been better to live with!
I propose that what you actually want is the crap convertible. It doesn’t need to be a good car, just needs to preferably have a roof in full working order. I’ve owned a handful over the years - a couple of Rover 216 Cabriolets and Mk1 Megane.
Good time, then, to introduce my latest acquisition - a 1994 Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet!
This is strangely intriguing. Never remember seeing many of them when they were new (unlike the Escort, which seemed to be everywhere).
I remember the Astra F being an utterly turgid, soggy thing to drive, so lopping the roof off surely won't make it better
something very appealing about a drop top version of a family car, though.
I remember the Astra F being an utterly turgid, soggy thing to drive, so lopping the roof off surely won't make it better
something very appealing about a drop top version of a family car, though.RazerSauber said:
I'd like to have a go in a Mk2 Tigra for a little nippy run around. I quite fancy a Vauxhall Cascada too. I already have a Vauxhall that's a nightmare to get parts for so I can't convince myself to go for another one!
SAAB 9-3 is presumably a close facsimile (they both have a variation of the Vectra/Insignia chassis I think?). I've only driven the 1.9 diesel and 2.0T varieties, lovely cars and decent drives but I'll bet the 2.8T is a hoot.
itcaptainslow said:
This is strangely intriguing. Never remember seeing many of them when they were new (unlike the Escort, which seemed to be everywhere).
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How Many Left isn’t exactly an exact science however this car is registered as “VAUXHALL ASTRA 2.0I BERTONE”.
There was a peak of 682 licensed in 1995 Q4 which has declined ever since. As of 2021 Q3, 11 licensed and 49 SORN. I think it’s safe to assume a fair number of the SORN ones are actually dead, just not scrapped properly.
I’ve checked the other “Bertone” variants on HML and they all refer to the later Astra G.
There were some of these with 1.6 engines though, not sure what they’re registered as.
Oooooooooo. Noice.
A mate of mine bought one of the very last one of these back in 1998. If I remember correctly it was on an 'S' plate, I think the dealer was trying to get rid of them at the time as the new shape Astra had come out then.
It was exactly the same colour as yours but had the 1.6 litre engine. I had a Rover 220i Coupe at the time and it felt gutless compared to that, but for roof down, cruising about listening to music with a couple of lasses in the car with us, it was ace!
Happy days.
Looking forward to seeing some 'top down' motoring pics!
A mate of mine bought one of the very last one of these back in 1998. If I remember correctly it was on an 'S' plate, I think the dealer was trying to get rid of them at the time as the new shape Astra had come out then.
It was exactly the same colour as yours but had the 1.6 litre engine. I had a Rover 220i Coupe at the time and it felt gutless compared to that, but for roof down, cruising about listening to music with a couple of lasses in the car with us, it was ace!
Happy days.
Looking forward to seeing some 'top down' motoring pics!
Our family fleet has included a Rover 100 convertible. Quirky, fun and quite well engineered although the ragtop lift hydraulics were never quite up to the job.
Still would like a Crayford Metro-Politan or a Rapport Metro-sport. They pre-dated the factory offering by a few years and benefited from a 'Targa' top.
These are rare and I spotted one in the background in one of the 'Bangers & Cash' episodes. Best not have yet another car eh?
Still would like a Crayford Metro-Politan or a Rapport Metro-sport. They pre-dated the factory offering by a few years and benefited from a 'Targa' top.
These are rare and I spotted one in the background in one of the 'Bangers & Cash' episodes. Best not have yet another car eh?
donkmeister said:
RazerSauber said:
I'd like to have a go in a Mk2 Tigra for a little nippy run around. I quite fancy a Vauxhall Cascada too. I already have a Vauxhall that's a nightmare to get parts for so I can't convince myself to go for another one!
SAAB 9-3 is presumably a close facsimile (they both have a variation of the Vectra/Insignia chassis I think?). I've only driven the 1.9 diesel and 2.0T varieties, lovely cars and decent drives but I'll bet the 2.8T is a hoot.OP - had a hatch back as my first car. It had the wheezy 1.4 that had enough power to cart me or things around, but not much of both! I went everywhere in it though and it never let me down. I'm sure most of the 1.6's were fairly bulletproof engines so even if it's uninspiring to drive, it should always get you there.
RazerSauber said:
According to Wikipedia, the Cascada got a 1.4 Turbo, 2 iterations of a 1.6 Turbo in petrol form and the standard issue GM 2.0 diseasel that's powered just about every car on earth. No fun V6 I'm afraid. The dieseasel does come with a bi-turbo setup though so maybe a remap might produce some amount of power. Googling this resulted in.... 225bhp. Not a fun car then!
OP - had a hatch back as my first car. It had the wheezy 1.4 that had enough power to cart me or things around, but not much of both! I went everywhere in it though and it never let me down. I'm sure most of the 1.6's were fairly bulletproof engines so even if it's uninspiring to drive, it should always get you there.
It’s a 2.0 - veritable power house with its 115bhp. OP - had a hatch back as my first car. It had the wheezy 1.4 that had enough power to cart me or things around, but not much of both! I went everywhere in it though and it never let me down. I'm sure most of the 1.6's were fairly bulletproof engines so even if it's uninspiring to drive, it should always get you there.
I had a 1.4 L hatch last year (1993/K) - it was delightfully grim
Toaster Pilot said:
I’ve owned a handful over the years - a couple of Rover 216 Cabriolets and Mk1 Megane.
That's proper posh, I had a Rover 214 convertible, as well as a Mk1 Megane convertible. I keep looking on Ebay for a new cheapo convertible, but can't decide between a Mini Convertible, a Mitsubishi Colt CZC and a Micra C+C. The Chrysler Sebring or Volvo C70 are also possibilities. I'd really like a Cavalier convertible but I haven't seen one for sale for ages. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff